A bright white smile is a great feature for the holiday season. If your teeth have been restored with crowns, veneers, bonding or other treatments in the past, you may be wondering how you can whiten your teeth and your restorations all at once. Rely on the experienced general and cosmetic dentists at Aspenwood Dental Associates to guide you. To arrange a consultation, please call our staff at 303-751-3321.
Can You Whiten Veneers, Crowns, Bonding and Fillings?
These materials do not whiten in response to treatment the way your teeth do. When restorations are placed, they are matched to the color of your teeth. That way, you can enjoy a smile that is evenly bright.
What You Should Do If You Want a Whiter Smile
Visit our dentists for a consultation. Teeth whitening is a great option in many scenarios, and we will help you decide if the dental restorations in your teeth can benefit from repair or replacement, or if they are fine as is. You can still get outstanding whitening results when you have dental restorations.
How to Prevent the Discoloration of Dental Restorations
Although crowns, veneers, fillings and bonding will be resistant to stains, they may eventually discolor for the same reasons your teeth get stained. Here are a few ways to prevent it:
- Don't smoke. Cigarettes, chewing tobacco and any other tobacco use will stain your teeth an unattractive yellow hue. Not only is tobacco bad for your health overall, but it is also detrimental to the appearance of your teeth.
- Beware black coffee, tea, wine, soda and sports drinks. Consuming these beverages over time will lead to discoloration because of the chemicals, tannins, chromogens and other components in these drinks. They may color your teeth directly or leave your teeth more vulnerable to discoloration.
- Rinse with water, then brush 30 minutes later. Swishing water around in your mouth will rinse away some of the discoloring food and beverage you just consumed. Brushing does this as well, but it's a good idea to wait 30 minutes after eating to brush, so that your teeth can re-mineralize (eating causes the surface of the teeth to soften up a little, leaving the teeth more vulnerable to the force of the toothbrush bristles).
- Brush and floss at home, and get your teeth cleaned at the dentist's office. Regular dental hygiene can go a long way in preventing teeth stains. Combat surface staining by brushing at least twice a day, flossing every day, and getting your teeth cleaned by our hygienists every six months.
With these tips in mind, you may be able to prevent the worst of teeth stains. A professional in-office whitening treatment is always a good way to eliminate the stains and start from a clean slate, so to speak.
Learn More About Options for Your Smile
In Aurora, Colorado, the experienced general and cosmetic dentists at Aspenwood Dental Associates are ready to help you enjoy a whiter, brighter smile with professional teeth whitening at our Denver-area practice. Schedule now to touch up your smile before the holidays. After examining your tooth restorations, we'll be able to tell you what your options are for rejuvenating your smile. To schedule your visit, please call 303-751-3321.